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Albrecht S, Grässli F, Cusini A, Brucher A, Goppel S, Betschon E, Möller JC, Ortner M, Ruetti M, Stocker R, Vuichard-Gysin D, Besold U, Risch L, Von Kietzell M, Schlegel M, Vernazza P, Kuster SP, Kahlert CR, Kohler P. SARS-CoV-2 immunity and reasons for non-vaccination among healthcare workers from eastern and northern Switzerland: results from a nested multicentre cross-sectional study. Swiss Med Wkly 2024; 154:3734. [PMID: 38689545 DOI: 10.57187/s.3734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS OF THE STUDY We aimed to assess the extent of SARS-CoV-2 humoral immunity elicited by previous infections and/or vaccination among healthcare workers, and to identify reasons why healthcare workers decided against vaccination. METHODS This nested cross-sectional study included volunteer healthcare workers from 14 healthcare institutions in German-speaking Switzerland. In January 2021, SARS-CoV-2 vaccines were available for healthcare workers. In May and June 2022, participants answered electronic questionnaires regarding baseline characteristics including SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (with one or more vaccine doses defined as vaccinated) and previous SARS-CoV-2 infections. Unvaccinated participants indicated their reasons for non-vaccination. Participants underwent testing for SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike (anti-S) and anti-nucleocapsid (anti-N) antibodies. Antibody prevalence was described across age groups. In addition, we performed multivariable logistic regression to identify baseline characteristics independently associated with non-vaccination and described reasons for non-vaccination. RESULTS Among 22,438 eligible employees, 3,436 (15%) participated; the median age was 43.7 years (range 16-73), 2,794 (81.3%) were female, and 1,407 (47.7%) identified as nurses; 3,414 (99.4%) underwent serology testing, among whom 3,383 (99.0%) had detectable anti-S (3,357, 98.3%) antibodies, anti-N (2,396, 70.1%) antibodies, or both (2,370, 69.4%). A total of 296 (8.6%) healthcare workers were unvaccinated, whereas 3,140 (91.4%) were vaccinated. In multivariable analysis, age (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.02 per year, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), being a physician (aOR 3.22, 95% CI 1.75-5.92) or administrator (aOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.27-2.80), and having higher education (aOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.09-4.57) were positively associated with vaccine uptake, whereas working in non-acute care (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-0.97), active smoking (aOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51-0.91), and taking prophylactic home remedies against SARS-CoV-2 (aOR 0.42, 95% CI 0.31-0.56) were negatively associated. Important reasons for non-vaccination were a belief that the vaccine might not have long-lasting immunity (267/291, 92.1%) and a preference for gaining naturally acquired instead of vaccine-induced immunity (241/289, 83.4%). CONCLUSIONS Almost all healthcare workers in our cohort had specific antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from natural infection and/or from vaccination. Young healthcare workers and those working in non-acute settings were less likely to be vaccinated, whereas physicians and administrative staff showed higher vaccination uptake. Presumed ineffectiveness of the vaccine is an important reason for non-vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Albrecht
- Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Fabian Grässli
- Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Alexia Cusini
- Cantonal Hospital of Grisons, Division of Infectious Diseases, Chur, Switzerland
| | - Angela Brucher
- Psychiatry Services of the Canton of St. Gallen (South), Trübbach, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Goppel
- Psychiatry Services of the Canton of St. Gallen (North), Wil, Switzerland
| | | | - J Carsten Möller
- Center for Neurological Rehabilitation, Zihlschlacht, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Ortner
- Rheintal Werdenberg Sarganserland Hospital Group, Grabs, Switzerland
| | - Markus Ruetti
- Fuerstenland Toggenburg Hospital Group, Wil, Switzerland
| | | | - Danielle Vuichard-Gysin
- Thurgau Hospital Group, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Muensterlingen, Switzerland
- Swiss National Centre for Infection Prevention (Swissnoso), Berne, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Besold
- Geriatric Clinic St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Lorenz Risch
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch Ostschweiz AG, Buchs, Switzerland
- Private Universität im Fürstentum Liechtenstein, Institut für Labormedizin, Triesen, Liechtenstein
- Center of Laboratory Medicine, University Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Berne, Inselspital, Berne, Switzerland
| | | | - Matthias Schlegel
- Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Pietro Vernazza
- Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Stefan P Kuster
- Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Christian R Kahlert
- Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St Gallen, Switzerland
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Kohler
- Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St Gallen, Switzerland
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Kahlert CR, Strahm C, Güsewell S, Cusini A, Brucher A, Goppel S, Möller E, Möller JC, Ortner M, Ruetti M, Stocker R, Vuichard-Gysin D, Besold U, McGeer A, Risch L, Friedl A, Schlegel M, Vernazza P, Kuster SP, Kohler P. Post-Acute Sequelae After Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection by Viral Variant and Vaccination Status: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:194-202. [PMID: 36905145 PMCID: PMC10371307 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disentangling the effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants and vaccination on the occurrence of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is crucial to estimate and reduce the burden of PASC. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional analysis (May/June 2022) within a prospective multicenter healthcare worker (HCW) cohort in north-eastern Switzerland. HCWs were stratified by viral variant and vaccination status at time of their first positive SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab. HCWs without positive swab and with negative serology served as controls. The sum of 18 self-reported PASC symptoms was modeled with univariable and multivariable negative-binomial regression to analyze the association of mean symptom number with viral variant and vaccination status. RESULTS Among 2912 participants (median age: 44 years; 81.3% female), PASC symptoms were significantly more frequent after wild-type infection (estimated mean symptom number: 1.12; P < .001; median time since infection: 18.3 months), after Alpha/Delta infection (0.67 symptoms; P < .001; 6.5 months), and after Omicron BA.1 infections (0.52 symptoms; P = .005; 3.1 months) versus uninfected controls (0.39 symptoms). After Omicron BA.1 infection, the estimated mean symptom number was 0.36 for unvaccinated individuals versus 0.71 with 1-2 vaccinations (P = .028) and 0.49 with ≥3 prior vaccinations (P = .30). Adjusting for confounders, only wild-type (adjusted rate ratio [aRR]: 2.81; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.08-3.83) and Alpha/Delta infections (aRR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.10-3.46) were significantly associated with the outcome. CONCLUSIONS Previous infection with pre-Omicron variants was the strongest risk factor for PASC symptoms among our HCWs. Vaccination before Omicron BA.1 infection was not associated with a clear protective effect against PASC symptoms in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian R Kahlert
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Carol Strahm
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Güsewell
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Alexia Cusini
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cantonal Hospital of Grisons, Chur, Switzerland
| | - Angela Brucher
- Ambulatory Services, Psychiatry Services of the Canton of St. Gallen (South), St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Stephan Goppel
- Ambulatory Services, Psychiatry Services of the Canton of St. Gallen (North), St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Elisabeth Möller
- Department of Psychiatry, Clienia Littenheid, Littenheid, Switzerland
| | - J Carsten Möller
- Center for Neurological Rehabilitation, Zihlschlacht, Switzerland
| | - Manuela Ortner
- Rheintal Werdenberg Sarganserland Hospital Group, Grabs, Switzerland
| | - Markus Ruetti
- Fuerstenland Toggenburg Hospital Group, Wil, Switzerland
| | | | - Danielle Vuichard-Gysin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Thurgau Hospital Group, Muensterlingen, Switzerland
- Department of Research and Development, Swiss National Centre for Infection Prevention (Swissnoso), Berne, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Besold
- Geriatric Clinic St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | - Lorenz Risch
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch Ostschweiz AG, Buchs, Switzerland
- Private Universität im Fürstentum Liechtenstein, Triesen, Liechtenstein
- Center of Laboratory Medicine, University Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrée Friedl
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schlegel
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Pietro Vernazza
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Stefan P Kuster
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Kohler
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Kohler P, Babouee Flury B, Güsewell S, Egger T, Leal O, Brucher A, Lemmenmeier E, Meier Kleeb D, Möller JC, Ortner M, Rieder P, Ruetti M, Schmid H, Stocker R, Vuichard‐Gysin D, Speer O, Wiggli B, Besold U, McGeer A, Risch L, Friedl A, Schlegel M, Vernazza P, Kahlert CR, Kuster SP. Clinical symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection during the Omicron period in relation to baseline immune status and booster vaccination-A prospective multicentre cohort of health professionals (SURPRISE study). Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2023; 17:e13167. [PMID: 37346094 PMCID: PMC10279996 DOI: 10.1111/irv.13167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The effects of different types of pre-existing immunity on the frequency of clinical symptoms caused by the SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection were prospectively assessed in healthcare workers during the Omicron period. Among 518 participants, hybrid immunity was associated with symptom reduction for dizziness, muscle or limb pain and headache as compared to vaccination only. Moreover, the frequencies of dizziness, cough and muscle or limb pain were lower in participants who had received a booster vaccine dose. Thus, hybrid immunity appeared to be superior in preventing specific symptoms during breakthrough infection compared to vaccination alone. A booster vaccine dose conferred additional symptom reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Kohler
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyCantonal Hospital St GallenSt GallenSwitzerland
| | - Baharak Babouee Flury
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyCantonal Hospital St GallenSt GallenSwitzerland
| | - Sabine Güsewell
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyCantonal Hospital St GallenSt GallenSwitzerland
| | - Thomas Egger
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyCantonal Hospital St GallenSt GallenSwitzerland
| | - Onicio Leal
- EpitrackRecifeBrazil
- Department of EconomicsUniversity of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Angela Brucher
- Psychiatry Services of the Canton of St. Gallen (South)PfäfersSwitzerland
| | - Eva Lemmenmeier
- Clienia Littenheid AG, Private Clinic for Psychiatry and PsychotherapyLittenheidSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Manuela Ortner
- Rheintal Werdenberg Sarganserland Hospital GroupGrabsSwitzerland
| | | | - Markus Ruetti
- Fuerstenland Toggenburg Hospital GroupWilSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Danielle Vuichard‐Gysin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyThurgau Hospital GroupMuensterlingenSwitzerland
| | - Oliver Speer
- Thurgau Hospital GroupInstitute for Laboratory MedicineMuensterlingenSwitzerland
| | - Benedikt Wiggli
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyKantonsspital BadenBadenSwitzerland
| | | | | | - Lorenz Risch
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch Ostschweiz AGBuchsSwitzerland
- Private Universität im Fürstentum LiechtensteinTriesenLiechtenstein
- Center of Laboratory MedicineUniversity Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Bern, InselspitalBernSwitzerland
| | - Andrée Friedl
- Thurgau Hospital GroupInstitute for Laboratory MedicineMuensterlingenSwitzerland
| | - Matthias Schlegel
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyCantonal Hospital St GallenSt GallenSwitzerland
| | - Pietro Vernazza
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyCantonal Hospital St GallenSt GallenSwitzerland
| | - Christian R. Kahlert
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyCantonal Hospital St GallenSt GallenSwitzerland
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyChildren's Hospital of Eastern SwitzerlandSt. GallenSwitzerland
| | - Stefan P. Kuster
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital EpidemiologyCantonal Hospital St GallenSt GallenSwitzerland
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4
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Strahm C, Seneghini M, Güsewell S, Egger T, Leal-Neto O, Brucher A, Lemmenmeier E, Meier Kleeb D, Möller JC, Rieder P, Ruetti M, Rutz R, Schmid HR, Stocker R, Vuichard-Gysin D, Wiggli B, Besold U, Kuster SP, McGeer A, Risch L, Friedl A, Schlegel M, Schmid D, Vernazza P, Kahlert CR, Kohler P. Symptoms Compatible With Long Coronavirus Disease (COVID) in Healthcare Workers With and Without Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infection-Results of a Prospective Multicenter Cohort. Clin Infect Dis 2022; 75:e1011-e1019. [PMID: 35090015 PMCID: PMC9383387 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciac054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of long-term symptoms (ie, long COVID) in patients after mild COVID-19 is debated. Within a cohort of healthcare workers (HCWs), frequency and risk factors for symptoms compatible with long COVID are assessed. METHODS Participants answered baseline (August/September 2020) and weekly questionnaires on SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) results and acute disease symptoms. In January 2021, SARS-CoV-2 serology was performed; in March, symptoms compatible with long COVID (including psychometric scores) were asked and compared between HCWs with positive NPS, seropositive HCWs without positive NPS (presumable asymptomatic/pauci-symptomatic infections), and negative controls. The effect of time since diagnosis and quantitative anti-spike protein antibodies (anti-S) was evaluated. Poisson regression was used to identify risk factors for symptom occurrence. RESULTS Of 3334 HCWs (median, 41 years; 80% female), 556 (17%) had a positive NPS and 228 (7%) were only seropositive. HCWs with positive NPS more frequently reported ≥1 symptom compared with controls (73% vs 52%, P < .001); seropositive HCWs without positive NPS did not score higher than controls (58% vs 52%, P = .13), although impaired taste/olfaction (16% vs 6%, P < .001) and hair loss (17% vs 10%, P = .004) were more common. Exhaustion/burnout was reported by 24% of negative controls. Many symptoms remained elevated in those diagnosed >6 months ago; anti-S titers correlated with high symptom scores. Acute viral symptoms in weekly questionnaires best predicted long-COVID symptoms. Physical activity at baseline was negatively associated with neurocognitive impairment and fatigue scores. CONCLUSIONS Seropositive HCWs without positive NPS are only mildly affected by long COVID. Exhaustion/burnout is common, even in noninfected HCWs. Physical activity might be protective against neurocognitive impairment/fatigue symptoms after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol Strahm
- Correspondence: C. Strahm, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9011 St Gallen, Switzerland ()
| | - Marco Seneghini
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Sabine Güsewell
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Egger
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Onicio Leal-Neto
- Epitrack, Recife, Brazil
- Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Brucher
- Psychiatry Services of the Canton of St Gallen (South), St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Eva Lemmenmeier
- Clienia Littenheid AG, Private Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Littenheid, Switzerland
| | | | - J Carsten Möller
- Center for Neurological Rehabilitation, Zihlschlacht, Switzerland
| | | | - Markus Ruetti
- Fuerstenland Toggenburg Hospital Group, Wil, Switzerland
| | - Remus Rutz
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Danielle Vuichard-Gysin
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Thurgau Hospital Group, Muensterlingen, Switzerland
| | - Benedikt Wiggli
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | | | - Stefan P Kuster
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
- Federal Office of Public Health, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | - Lorenz Risch
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch Ostschweiz AG, Buchs, Switzerland
- Private Universität im Fürstentum Liechtenstein, Triesen, Liechtenstein
- Center of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrée Friedl
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Kantonsspital Baden, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schlegel
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Dagmar Schmid
- Clinic for Psychosomatic and Consultation Psychiatry, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Pietro Vernazza
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
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5
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Kohler P, Güsewell S, Seneghini M, Egger T, Leal O, Brucher A, Lemmenmeier E, Möller JC, Rieder P, Ruetti M, Stocker R, Vuichard-Gysin D, Wiggli B, Besold U, Kuster SP, McGeer A, Risch L, Friedl A, Schlegel M, Vernazza P, Kahlert CR. Impact of baseline SARS-CoV-2 antibody status on syndromic surveillance and the risk of subsequent COVID-19-a prospective multicenter cohort study. BMC Med 2021; 19:270. [PMID: 34649585 PMCID: PMC8514323 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-02144-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In a prospective healthcare worker (HCW) cohort, we assessed the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection according to baseline serostatus. METHODS Baseline serologies were performed among HCW from 23 Swiss healthcare institutions between June and September 2020, before the second COVID-19 wave. Participants answered weekly electronic questionnaires covering information about nasopharyngeal swabs (PCR/rapid antigen tests) and symptoms compatible with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Screening of symptomatic staff by nasopharyngeal swabs was routinely performed in participating facilities. We compared numbers of positive nasopharyngeal tests and occurrence of COVID-19 symptoms between HCW with and without anti-nucleocapsid antibodies. RESULTS A total of 4812 HCW participated, wherein 144 (3%) were seropositive at baseline. We analyzed 107,807 questionnaires with a median follow-up of 7.9 months. Median number of answered questionnaires was similar (24 vs. 23 per person, P = 0.83) between those with and without positive baseline serology. Among 2712 HCW with ≥ 1 SARS-CoV-2 test during follow-up, 3/67 (4.5%) seropositive individuals reported a positive result (one of whom asymptomatic), compared to 547/2645 (20.7%) seronegative participants, 12 of whom asymptomatic (risk ratio [RR] 0.22; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07 to 0.66). Seropositive HCWs less frequently reported impaired olfaction/taste (6/144, 4.2% vs. 588/4674, 12.6%, RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.15-0.73), chills (19/144, 13.2% vs. 1040/4674, 22.3%, RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.90), and limb/muscle pain (28/144, 19.4% vs. 1335/4674, 28.6%, RR 0.68 95% CI 0.49-0.95). Impaired olfaction/taste and limb/muscle pain also discriminated best between positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 results. CONCLUSIONS Having SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies provides almost 80% protection against SARS-CoV-2 re-infection for a period of at least 8 months.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philipp Kohler
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | - Sabine Güsewell
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Clinical Trials Unit, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Marco Seneghini
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Egger
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Onicio Leal
- Epitrack, Recife, Brazil.,Department of Economics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Brucher
- Psychiatry Services of the Canton of St. Gallen (South), St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Eva Lemmenmeier
- Clienia Littenheid AG, Private Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Littenheid, Switzerland
| | - J Carsten Möller
- Center for Neurological Rehabilitation, Zihlschlacht, Switzerland
| | | | - Markus Ruetti
- Fuerstenland Toggenburg Hospital Group, Wil, Switzerland
| | | | - Danielle Vuichard-Gysin
- Thurgau Hospital Group, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Münsterlingen, Switzerland
| | - Benedikt Wiggli
- Cantonal Hospital Baden, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Ulrike Besold
- Geriatric Clinic St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Lorenz Risch
- Labormedizinisches Zentrum Dr Risch, Schaan, Liechtenstein.,Clienia Littenheid AG, Private Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Littenheid, Switzerland.,Center of Laboratory Medicine, University Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University of Bern, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andrée Friedl
- Cantonal Hospital Baden, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Baden, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Schlegel
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Pietro Vernazza
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Christian R Kahlert
- Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, Rorschacherstrasse 95, 9007, St. Gallen, Switzerland. .,Children's Hospital of Eastern Switzerland, Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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